Packing Problems

With a little more than a week left in the States, it’s time to get packing. Of course, since my mother is a perfectionist, the packing pretty much started a month ago.

So this stuff has been crowding her room for a while.

Australia’s seasons are flipped, meaning that while it’s bitter cold and snowing here in Philly, it’s in the high 80’s and 90’s down unda. What that means for me is bathing suits, shorts, and all my lovely sundresses! Since I hate both pants and shoes, putting my shorts,dresses, and flip-flops into my suitcase was a moment of pure joy.

I feel like I’m going to be in for a rude awakening when classes start…

By the end of my stay in Australia, the weather will get a bit chillier, so I’m packing jeans and hoodies as well. Like I said in my previous post, where I’m staying is the largest tropical city in Australia so even their chilly weather is going to feel like heaven to me.

Packing does have its problems though. Especially when you are only allowed to bring one suitcase, a carry on, and a purse or backpack that can fit under your seat. I’ll be in Australia February 9-June 25 and that’s all I can bring? Seriously? I’m a girl. This is an issue.

Luckily they all match.

Despite the limited luggage, I thought I was all set with packing until my mom starting asking questions. “Do you have enough shampoo? Sunscreen? Chapstick? Does anything need to be washed? What about your makeup? Jewelry? Face wash? Do you have a travel toothbrush? Thank goodness I asked!” Oops.

That’s a lot of stuff when you think about it. As a way to save space for the really important things my mom and I went out to Bed, Bath & Beyond and bought some travel space savers to squash my clothes into. Something I recommend to any traveler.

I also have a 3 or 4 day orientation in Melbourne before I reach my school and during that time I will not see my big suit case. That means I have to pack everything I need for those few days into my carry on. It’s a small bag so I can really only pack the essentials. I have shampoo, conditioner, body wash, leave in conditioner, and sunscreen squeezed into proper size containers so I can bring them onto the plane.

My friends in Rome support my notion to bring shot glasses.

If I were a boy, this packing thing would be a hell of a whole lot easier. Unfortunately, I’m cursed to bring along makeup, nail polish, push-up bras, perfume, a hair straightener, a hair waver, flip-flops to match each outfit, purses, my stuffed dog “Dude,” and my DVD of Magic Mike.

And my Tinkerbell, of course.

Man, I feel like a woman.

27 Days left in America

I have been mentally preparing for this trip since the 6^th grade at St. Anselm’s when Miss Legel taught us the countries of the world. Kinda like this:

(Except without the song, rhyming, fun, and in a sweater vest.)

Everyone always asks me, why Australia?
Seriously? Why is that a question?

Well, I’m a huge animal lover. Australia has the most unique animals in the world. Kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, dingoes, platypus(es?), wombats, Tasmanian devils, emus, numbats,  echidnas, am I losing you? Okay, you get the point.

Australia is also freakin’ gorgeous. It’s generally clean, has beautiful blue waters, amazing beaches… just trust me on this.

Then there’s the accents…oh god, the accents. If you don’t love the Australian accent, then you have issues and I don’t have time for you. Australia has given us some amazing accented actors as well (Heath Ledger, Thor, Thor’s brother).

And let’s not forget Crocodile Dundee

And finally, there’s the fun stuff only a college student would care about:

• Apparently the first European settlers in Australia drank more alcohol per person than any other community in the history of mankind.
• In 1954 Bob Hawke made it into the Guinness Record Book: he sculled 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds. Bob Hawke went on to become the Prime Minister of Australia.
• Australians spend the most money on gambling in comparison to any other country in the world. Australia has twenty percent of the poker machines in the world
• Pubs occupy more land than the mines.

I know nowhere in the world is perfect, but for me, Australia is pretty damn close.

I chose to attend James Cook University in Townsville because it’s in the best location possible. Townsville is the largest tropical city in Australia. It sees about 300 days of sunshine a year. It’s a very relaxed environment with clean air and little traffic. The Great Barrier Reef is right at its doorstep. JCU is about 20 minutes from the beach and is surrounded by incredible wildlife sites. I literally couldn’t ask for more.

Yes, this is my actual campus.

And if any one of you comment on all the bugs and snakes that live in Australia, I will personally punch you when I get back. I’m well aware that there are 1,500 species of Australian spiders, 6,000 species of flies and 4,000 species of ants. There are over 350 species of termites as well.  I’ll bring bug spray.